It has been a tumultuous year in South African politics, but we end it in slightly better shape than we started it – with a dangerous president increasingly running out of road, writes Arthur Christopher.

Batsmen have a good day

THE first Saturday of the term saw a number of matches played. Batsmen generally had the better of the day. With the Independent schools on a half-term break, there were only two top school matches that did take place. Westville vs Durban High School

Winning the toss, home side Westville opted to bat first and they batted steadily on a good wicket. The outfield was heavy after the rains, making scoring along the ground difficult. The ball had to be lofted to reach the boundary.

This suited Aerin Ivey who batted very sensibly for 81 runs and who was quick to latch onto anything short. He was well supported by Tim Spence, back into his first game since a knee operation. He ended on 69 and enabled Westville to reach a competitive 227 for seven in the allotted 50 overs.

DHS batting struggled with the slow outfield and they were always behind in the rate. Darren Frost and Harry Plumstead, both scoring half centuries, gave them some hope, but when they were out the rate faltered again and other than a brief come back at the end, DHS were never going to win. At the close, in poor light conditions, they reached 197 for five, giving Westville a 30-run victory­. Glenwood vs Maritzburg College

Glenwood were asked to take first knock and College, who had not played a match since Michaelmas Week, opted to bowl. The humid conditions did not help the rusty bowlers as much as they hoped it would and after 25 overs Glenwood were 93 for three.

The 26 extras conceded by College and a lower order rally, particularly by Preen Perumal (31), enabled Glenwood to reach 177, losing their last wicket with the last ball of the 50 overs.

Dylan Browne top-scored with 37 and Daryn du Pavillon was the most successful­ College bowler with three wickets.

College started steadily but no significant partnerships developed as wickets fell. College were behind in the rate after the Glenwood spinners had tied them down to 11 runs in 11 overs.

At 113 for seven after 40 overs, when Nic Hendrie was out for a workman like 32, Glenwood was on top, but Matthew Guise-Brown and Andrew Charters had other ideas.

In fading light they added 39 runs in just under six overs before the umpires called bad light.

With 26 runs required in the remaining 26 balls, an exciting finish was on the cards, but unfortunately both teams were left wondering what might have been. Thomas More vs Hillcrest

What was expected to be a tight game was just the opposite and Thomas More took advantage of some loose Hillcrest bowling on the Kloof Country Club field to pile on the runs.

Opening bat Devon Seaton scored a patient 100 and was out for 126 with three overs remaining. He and Justin Lanz (56) added 117 and together with David Hazel (42) took Thomas More to a massive­ 294 for six.

Hillcrest, after chasing leather in the heat, soon capitulated against some steady bowling, to be all out for just 83, giving Thomas More a 211 run win. Wickets were shared with only Chris Ruddoch capturing three wickets. Pionier vs Weston

Pionier in Vryheid opted to bat first but good bowling and even better fielding by Weston, restricted them to 79 all out. D. Govender captured three wickets for 14 runs.

Weston batted confidently but did lose four wickets in reaching the target. T Gillies top-scored in the game making 26 runs.

SCORES IN BRIEF

Westville 228-7 (Ivey 81, Spence 69).

DHS 198-5 (Frost 53, Plumstead 50, Buckthorp 3/23).

Westville won by 30 runs.

Glenwood 177 (Browne 37, Perumal 31, du Pavillon 3/27).

M College 152-7 (Roderick 25, Hendrie 32).

Bad light stopped play — no result.

Thomas More 294-6 (Seaton 126, Lanz 56, Hazel 42).

Hillcrest 83 (Ruddock 3/19).

Thomas More won by 211 runs.

Pionier 79 (Govender 3/14).

Weston 80-4 (Gillies 26).

Weston won by six wickets.

Crawford LL 196-6 (Garrett 52, Hook 33).

Clifton 197-5 (Young 52, Dunn 49).

Clifton won by five wickets.

Kingsway 181 (Fry 81, Pitman 3/31).

St Henrys 182-9 (da Silva 53, Loubscher 46, Croft 4/26).

St Henrys won by one wicket.

Howick 128 (Viljoen 25*).

Clifton 16A 130-7 (Stanbury 3/32).

Clifton won by three wickets.

George Campbell 95.

Kloof 96-3.

Kloof won by seven wickets.

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